Speaking at the Islamic Centre for Development of Trade (ICDT) Regional Training conference in Girne this week, the TRNC Economy and Energy Minister Sunat Atun stated that the ICDT decision to hold its Regional Training conference on “Export Strategies for Primo-Exporters” among OIC member states in Girne this year is an important opportunity for the TRNC.

Prime Minister Hüseyin Özgürgün has criticised the Greek Cypriots for not tolerating even the smallest development by the Turkish Cypriot side, adding that the difficulties faced by tourists who come to the TRNC via South Cyprus is the proof of this intolerance.

President Akıncı received Turkish Deputy Prime Minister and Responsible for Cyprus Affairs Recep Akdağ yesterday (28th August). During the meeting, he said that it has become clear that an open-ended process will not lead us to a solution. He also said that the 1960 agreement survived for three years, but that the Enosis [union with Greece] aspirations of Greek Cypriots brought separation and conflict to the island.

Minister of Economy and Energy Sunat Atun has stated that works within the framework of energy cooperation agreement with Turkey to lay electricity pipes undersea from Turkey to the TRNC are almost complete. Atun said that the project is due to be concluded in two to two and a half years.

The Turkish Minister of Health Recep Akdağ said that a fully equipped and functional hospital is essential to provide the Turkish Cypriot people with quality health services, and added that Turkey is ready to give every support to the TRNC Ministry in this regard. This will focus in particular on upgrading the Dr. Burhan Nalbantoğlu Hospital, which was built in the 1970s.

After the private meeting of two ministers, their delegations came together for a fruitful and comprehensive three and a half hour meeting.

Sucuoğlu welcomed the consistent support of Turkey on the issue of health, particularly as Turkey’s model of comprehensive public healthcare for each citizen is a model that the TRNC will seek to learn lessons from.

Sucuoğlu welcomed the positive and constructive meeting, and noted that he had reached a full agreement with Turkish Minister of Health Recep Akdağ.

During his visit in Ankara, the two ministers also touched upon the issues of General Health Insurance, scheduled new hospital building in Nicosia, the difficulties faced in the field of medicine, appointment system, automation system and the training of health workers.

Berova has completed his Ankara visit

At the last day of his Ankara visit, the Minister of National Education and Culture Özdemir Berova has visited Science, Industry and Technology Minister Dr. Faruk Özlü and the President of the Turkish Council of Higher Education (YÖK) Prof. Dr. Yekta Saraç.

Speaking following his meeting with Minister Dr. Faruk Özlü, Berova stated that they discussed the protocol regarding Scientific, Technological Research and Development projects of the TRNC universities which were supported by the Republic of Turkey and agreed to revise the protocol.

Following the meeting, Minister Berova also visited the President of the Turkish Council of Higher Education (YÖK), Prof. Dr. Yekta Saraç, in his office.

They exchanged views about the continuation of the positive developments in the TRNC’s higher education and took decisions on the e-registration system.

Terazi Martyrs laid to rest

Five Turkish Cypriots who were killed in the Perekluşa region in Limassol by Greek Cypriot militants 42 years ago were buried at the Mağusa Canbulat mausoleum in a military ceremony yesterday.

Their remains were recently identified by the Committee of Missing Persons in Cyprus.